Softball: Fox Valley all-area team
Kelly Bremer Elgin
Elgin’s junior catcher, Bremer had a strong season both behind and at the plate for the Maroons. Hit .370 with 5 homers and 15 RBI and a .630 slugging percentage. “She was really the only one on our team who could catch Jennah (Perryman),” said Maroons’ coach Chad Dahlman. “She was very solid back there and she was the captain on the field. She had some homers and some doubles for us and she puts the ball in play. Her power came around more this year and she’s a hard worker.”
Alyssa Buddle South Elgin
The honorary captain of the all-area team, Buddle’s calming influence and knowledge behind the plate helped lead a young pitching staff to a 19-win season and a regional championship. Hit .505 with 8 home runs, 39 RBI, 11 doubles and 3 triples. Struck out only 6 times in 93 at-bats, had a .946 slugging percentage and a .573 OBP and scored 29 runs. Had a 39 percent throw-our rate of potential base stealers. “She takes charge on and off the field,” said Storm coach Jason Schaal. “Her ability to work with our pitchers was tremendous.” The James Madison recruit is a repeat all-area selection.
Alex Buhrow Larkin
Larkin’s senior catcher, Buhrow was a bright spot for a team that struggled to win this season. Hit .461 with 4 homers and 20 RBI. Also had 4 doubles, 3 triples and a .750 slugging percentage. Only struck out 8 times in 85 at-bats. “Alex is a great kid,” said Larkin coach Anne Vogt. “She came out everyday looking to contribute and working to better herself as a player and a person. I always appreciate when a player wants to work hard on and off the field.”
Brittany Delao Streamwood
Streamwood’s senior SS/3B had a productive season, hitting .359 with 1 home run and 16 RBI. “Brittany has been a great player for us over the past three years,” said Sabres’ coach Nick Baird. “She started to really come on strong over the second half of the season offensively and defensively. Brittany loves playing the game.” A repeat all-area selection.
Anna Eckholm Elgin
Eckholm proved to be a versatile player for the Maroons this season and had another strong season at the plate as well. A repeat all-area selection, she played third base and the outfield and even filled in to pitch 9 innings. Hit .429 with 5 homers, 23 RBI, 8 doubles, a .648 slugging percentage and a .498 OBP. “The three years I’ve had her she’s batted over .400 every year,” said Elgin coach Chad Dahlman. “She’s at the top of the lineup, she gets on base and she has good wheels and good power. Without her at the top of the lineup we wouldn’t have scored as much as we did. She’s got a great attitude. She’ll run through a wall for you and she can play anywhere.”
Lindsay Efflandt Cary-Grove
A four-time all-area standout, Efflandt graduates as Cary-Grove’s top pitcher ever. She was 10-0 this season when she took a line drive to the face but she came back to pitch the Trojans’ final three games, finishing 10-2 with 1 save and a 0.85 ERA. She struck out 101 batters in 82 innings. Finished her career with 89 wins, placing her 15th on the all-time IHSA record list. This season the Yale recruit also hit .342. “It’s going to be tough not having Lindsay out there,” said Cary-Grove coach Tammy Olson. “Had she not gotten hurt she might have set the state record for wins (103). She held this team together for four years and she’s a great kid. She’s a competitor and a true sportsman and I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Amanda Eissler Dundee-Crown
Despite the fact the Chargers have struggled on the field, Eissler became a rock for the program. A four-year varsity player, she pitched the majority of her team’s games this season and played shortstop when not pitching. She hit .325. “Amanda has had a four-yar commitment to Dundee-Crown softball,” said Chargers’ coach Tracy Beatty. “She had the ability and the knowledge to play multiple positions and we’ll miss her.”
Rachel Fugiel Westminster Christian
A junior, Fugiel led the Warriors to a 12-9 season and the program’s first regional championship. She hit. 523 with 3 homers and 20 RBI. Also had 4 triples. Was also 6-5 as the team’s No. 1 pitcher. “Rachel is one of the most gifted athletes Westminster Christian has seen come through its doors,” said Warriors’ coach John Wedell. “She is blessed with that killer combination of speed and power. She only struck out three times and she has been one of the main reasons for the turnaround in the softball program at Westminster.”
Brooke Gaylord Burlington Central
A junior left-handed pitcher and power hitter, Gaylord’s performance this season helped the Rockets to a 27-4 campaign and their first conference title since 2009. In the circle, she was 13-3 with a 1.54 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 100 innings. She also hit .500 with 8 home runs and 35 RBI, 34 runs scored, 14 doubles and 4 triples. Her slugging percentage was 1.075. “We thought we’d have three pitchers when the season started and we lost one (Angie Morrow) after our first game an Brooke stepped up and and did a great job,” said BC coach Wade Maisto. “She won some huge games for us and filled her role as a quality No. 1 starter. Even more important was the way she hit. The ball just jumps off her bat. I’ve never had a girl hit a ball as far as Brooke.” A repeat all-area selection.
Kayla Haberstich Bartlett
Bartlett’s junior SS, Haberstich became one of the most prolific power hitters in the area this season, hitting .452 with 9 home runs and an area-high 59 RBI. Also had 11 doubles, 38 runs scored and struck out only 10 times in 115 at-bats. Also drew 14 walks, had 7 stolen bases, a .519 OBP and a .817 slugging percentage in helping her team to a 25-10 season and a regional championship. “She was money from the beginning of the year on,” said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith. “Kayla can go deep or hit singles with runners on base. She was an RBI machine and defensively she got to balls that shouldn’t have been gotten to.”
Bekah Harnish Burlington Central
Burlington Central’s junior catcher, Harnish had another strong season behind the plate and at bat despite the fact she played the last part of the season with an aching shoulder. The NIU recruit hit .530 with 3 homers and 27 RBI and 11 doubles. Had just 4 strikeouts in 100 at-bats and scored 32 runs in helping her team to a 27-4 season and its first conference title since 2009. Also had a .750 slugging percentage. “She’s a rock behind the plate,” said Rockets’ coach Wade Maisto. “She’s just an excellent all-around player. There’s really nothing she can’t do well and she’ll do anything for you. The pitchers have a world of confidence in her and she’s totally in charge behind the plate.” A repeat all-area selection.
Jacquelyn Hengler Jacobs
Jacobs’ senior leadoff hitter set the table for her 18-15 team that reached a regional championship game. The outfielder hit .350 and scored 36 runs while going 14-for-15 stealing bases. Also had 7 doubles and 4 triples. “Being our leadoff hitter she really set the tone for us,” said Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer. “She changed the complexion of a game with her speed. We didn’t get shutout once this year and a big reason for that was her being in the leadoff spot.”
Jordan Hook Hampshire
Hook, Hampshire’s senior right fielder, helped the Whip-Purs’ rebuilding program begin with her leadership as well as her play on the field. She hit .405 with 3 homers and 19 RBI. “She’s someone who worked her way into a starting position the lats two years and really contributed with her bat,” said Hampshire coach Stacey Stepek. “She had a slow start but never got down on herself. She stayed positive and then she caught fire. She did a great job in the outfield for us. She’s got a great glove and gets a real good jump on the ball.”
Jennifer Hurst Hampshire
Hampshire’s senior pitcher, Hurst closed out her career by helping her team to 11 wins. She struck out 209 batters in 217 innings, pitching all but 21 of the Whip-Purs’ innings this season. Also had 1 home run and 11 RBI. “Jennifer is a leader and a role model to all the girls. She truly loves the game of softball and gives 110 percent every day,” said Hampshire coach Stacey Stepek. “She’s more of a quiet presence but the girls respect her and follow her lead. I trusted her with the ball on the mound and she came up with some timely hits for us.”
Lauren King Burlington Central
King, Burlington Central’s second baseman, was the senior leader of a team that went 27-4 and won its first conference title since 2009. Hit .286 with 1 homer, 26 RBI and 7 doubles, striking out just 5 times in 105 at-bats. “She was the senior leader of our team,” said BC coach Wade Maisto. “She came up with some big hits for us in close games and found a way to help us at important times. She brought a great senior influence to a young softball team.”
Emily Kisch Burlington Central
One of only two freshmen on the all-area team, Kisch proved that versatility is a virtue for the 27-4 Rockets, helping her team to its first conference title since 2009. Hit .337 with 3 homers, 26 RBI and 6 doubles. Became the team’s starting SS but also went 10-1 in the circle with a 2.07 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 81 innings. “She played multiple positions and played them all equally well,” said Rockets’ coach Wade Maisto. “No matter where I put her she did a good job. There’s really not a place she can’t play.”
Kali Kossakowski St. Edward
A three-time all-area shortstop for the Green Wave, Kossakowski had another strong season. The NIU recruit hit and even .500 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI, again leading the area with 24 stolen bases in 26 attempts. Had 13 doubles, a .582 OBP and a .793 slugging percentage. Only struck out 3 times in 92 at-bats and scored 32 runs. “Kali is the complete package,” said St. Edward coach Jaci Corn. “She has natural speed and talent. She is very smart and works extremely hard to get better all the time. Kali is a true leader and a great teammate on and off the field. It’s been more than a pleasure coaching Kali.”
Alyssa Lach Jacobs
A repeat all-area selection, Jacobs’ junior third baseman had another strong season, hitting .543 with 9 homers and 30 RBI. Also had 12 doubles, a .952 slugging percentage and a .579 OBP, striking out just twice in 105 at-bats. “She plays 100 percent every single inning and it doesn’t matter what the situation is and that’s what you want out of all your players,” said Golden Eagles’ coach Jeremy Bauer. “Her numbers speak for themselves. She’s a dominant player in this area.” Lach, who helped Jacobs to an 18-15 season, has committed to Butler.
Sarah Leudo Cary-Grove
Leudo was Cary-Grove’s rock behind the plate for four years and especially this season when senior standout pitcher Lindsay Efflandt went down with an injury April 22. Led her 19-6 team with a .365 average, hitting 3 home runs with 17 RBI. Was the only player to hit a home run in the Bandits Jamboree in Rosemont at the end of the season. “She was consistent all season and her best came at the end,” said Cary-Grove coach Tammy Olson. “She was on fire at the end of the season and just amazing. She was our captain and our MVP and she had a phenomenal year. She picked people off bases and really brought her game up a level.” A repeat all-area selection.
Hailee Massie Crystal Lake South
An injury-plagued season was still a strong one for Massie, CL South’s sophomore No. 1 pitcher. She finished the season 8-6 with a 1.62 ERA and had 88 strikeouts in 82 innings. “She fell victim to some injuries this season and we didn’t help her out much offensively but she had an excellent ERA and more strikeouts than innings pitched,” said Gators’ coach Scott Busam. “She kept us in games and she got so much better from last year to this year. I think she can become one of the dominant players in the conference.”
Sam McLean Crystal Lake South
McLean is a unique player you don’t see much of — a left-handed shortstop who has Division I range and a strong arm as well as a strong bat and speed. The junior hit .432 with 3 homers, 24 RBI, 10 doubles, 3 triples and only 2 strikeouts in 89 at-bats. “Sam was the heart and soul of our team,” said Gators’ coach Scott Busam. “She was our best clutch hitter and she played much better than we expected. She was a big reason why we had a winning season (14-10). I’d argue she’s one of the best shortstops in the area, even playing it left-handed. She’s smooth. She made some really nice plays for us.”
Sarah Murray Jacobs
One of only two freshmen on the all-area team, Murray made a splash in her rookie high school season, hitting .450 with 5 homers and 24 RBI. She had 8 doubles and struck out only 10 times in 111 at-bats. The outfielder also led her 18-15 team with 8 sacrifice bunts. “She really stepped up,” said Golden Eagles’ coach Jeremy Bauer. “We knew early on that she really understood the game. She’s one of the smartest players we have. She could hit away, slap, bunt, take the extra base and she makes smart defensive plays. She’s really above her age.”
Rachel Odolski Bartlett
Bartlett’s senior leadoff hitter and right fielder, Odolski set the table for her team to have a 25-10 season and win a regional championship. Hit .455 with 11 RBI, 42 runs scored and 19 stolen bases in 21 attempts while striking out just 4 times in 112 at-bats. Had a .492 OBP. “Rachel had the kind of year you want a senior to have,” said Hawks’ coach Jim Wolfsmith. “With her speed, she could steal a lot of bases and she covered a tremendous amount of ground in the outfield.”
Holly Pagan Bartlett
An untested varsity pitching staff was anchored by Pagan, a junior who went 14-6 with a 2.34 ERA in helping her team to a 25-10 season and a regional championship. Had 87 strikeouts in 132 innings and also hit .393 with 2 home runs and 12 RBI. “Holly really grew as the year went on and that was nice to see,” said Hawks’ coach Jim Wolfsmith. “She reminds me of the growth Tori Burke and Callie Dennison showed their junior years and she became a top hitter to add to her resume. Hopefully she can continue to grow over the summer.”
Miranda Peterson Huntley
One of the top players to come through the Huntley program, Peterson closed out her Red Raider career with a banner season, hitting .534 with 3 home runs, 11 doubles and 37 RBI. She only struck out 4 times in 88 at-bats while scoring 28 runs and drawing 18 walks for her 22-12 team. “Words cannot explain the impact Randi has had on our team,” said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec. “We will miss not only her tremendous playing ability but the impact she has made with her leadership on and off the field. Randi has left some big shoes to fill next year offensively and defensively.” She is a repeat all-area selection.
Jennah Perryman Elgin
Perryman, a Ball State recruit, took over in the circle for the Maroons this season for her graduated sister Hannah and threw 109 innings, going 8-11 with a 1.67 ERA and 125 strikeouts, an average of 11 per game. Also hit .352 with 10 homers and 33 RBI, 9 doubles and a .824 slugging percentage. “Without her on the mound we don’t win as many games,” said Elgin coach Chad Dahlman. “Her riseball really improved from last year and her command was there this year. Her batting average was up and her power was up.”
Kara Rodriguez South Elgin
South Elgin’s senior SS, Rodriguez came back 100 percent healthy from an ACL injury this season and helped lead her team to a 19-win season and a regional championship. Hit .319 with 4 homers and 16 RBI and her 13 career home runs are third in program history. Also had 7 stolen bases in 8 attempts. Will be a cheerleader at Division I North Texas next year. “She had a great season,” said Storm coach Jason Schaal. “I just kept saying ‘What if she hadn’t torn her ACL.’ She rebounded very well and had an excellent season. I was very proud of her for taking on the leadership role in the infield. She really helped us improve our play.”
Haley Spannraft Huntley
Just a sophomore, Spannraft took over in the circle for the 22-12 Red Raiders this season and went 17-11 with a 2.31 ERA and 102 strikeouts. She also hit .452 with 15 RBI. “Haley really stepped up for us offensively this year,” said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec. “In the leadoff role she got our offense started. On the mound, she took the pitching load on her shoulders racking up 179 innings. I look forward to having her the next two years in the circle for us.”
2013 All-area roster
Player School Pos. Yr.
Kelly Bremer Elgin C Jr.
*Alyssa Buddle South Elgin C Jr.
Alex Buhrow Larkin C/1B Sr.
Brittany Delao Streamwood SS Sr.
Anna Eckholm Elgin IF-OF Jr.
Lindsay Efflandt Cary-Grove P Sr.
Amanda Eissler Dundee-Crown P/SS Sr.
Rachel Fugiel Westminster Christian P/IF Jr.
Brooke Gaylord Burlington Central P Jr.
Kayla Haberstich Bartlett SS Jr.
Bekah Harnish Burlington Central C Jr.
Jacquelyn Hengler Jacobs OF Sr.
Jordan Hook Hampshire OF Sr.
Jennifer Hurst Hampshire P Sr.
Lauren King Burlington Central 2B Sr.
Emily Kisch Burlington Central SS/P Fr.
Kali Kossakowski St. Edward SS Sr.
Alyssa Lach Jacobs 3B Jr.
Sarah Leudo Cary-Grove C/3B Sr.
Hailee Massie CL South P So.
Sam McLean CL South SS Jr.
Sarah Murray Jacobs OF Fr.
Rachel Odolski Bartlett OF Sr.
Holly Pagan Bartlett P Jr.
Miranda Peterson Huntley SS Sr.
Jennah Perryman Elgin P/3B Jr.
Kara Rodriguez South Elgin SS Sr.
Haley Spannraft Huntley P So.
* — Honorary captain
Honorable mention
Bartlett — Alex Morales (Jr., OF), Alyssa Nowak (Fr., 1B), Dana Paul (Jr., C)